TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Jessica Booker]

Anticipated forum downtime:

Hi everyone - just to mention you may find it difficult to access the forums this afternoon (around 3pm) for around an hour or so as we are doing some technical work to upgrade our servers.

 

[s9111]

Their brochure says interviews will be in late September/October so it might be a while till we hear

I suppose, I still thought it being on a rolling basis would mean early applicants would hear back earlier, and it would be staggered from there on

 

[lawyersum]

Hey, on Travers Smith's application there are two questions, one which allows you to put any details of extra curricular(tutoring) and then another on any achievements/awards/levels of responsibility which you have gained (the very popular legal blog).

Hi @s2203 , thanks for replying! Yes, I know Travers Smith does have these two questions, but I'm a bit scared to put these two into these sections as it will reduce the number of work experiences I have which may make me look a little inexperienced. As it stands, I have got a decent amount of stuff to put into those two questions without the tutoring and Editor position, so might just take the approach Jessica suggested. But, I'd love to know whether you think I'm being overly cautious about this hehe?

 

[Soniastudent]

if anyone attended the A&O Shearman talk today - would you be able to share the takeaways? thank you

What was this talk? Was this an event ?

 

[ayiiii05]

What was this talk? Was this an event ?

Events :: A&O Shearman UK Early Careers

}

earlycareersuk.aoshearman.com

you can sign up for the next one! i thought i hadn't received an invite for the one on the 12th but the invite was in my spam.

 

[Soniastudent]

Events :: A&O Shearman UK Early Careers

}

earlycareersuk.aoshearman.com

you can sign up for the next one! i thought i hadn't received an invite for the one on the 12th but the invite was in my spam.

Thank you so much ! Does anyone know if A&O is offering a Middle East TC this year?

 

[Apple]

so who is going to take the bullet and do the A&O assessment questions first.

 

[GivesTerribleAdvice]

so who is going to take the bullet and do the A&O assessment questions first.

Why not just submit the answers without reading the questions? It’ll definitely make you stand out!

 

[jasonbourne]

Has anyone heard back from Slaughter and May or Addleshaw Goddard? W&C hasn't gotten back to be by now, should I expect a PFO?

nothing from W&C either

 

[s9111]

Does anyone know when Linklaters' Winter VS apps typically open? There's nothing on their website yet. Thanks!

 

[VV]

nothing from W&C either

Emailed W&C today; they said that they are still sorting through apps in batches

 

[Stef]

Anything from Sidley?

Nothing yet

 

[Zi48]

I suppose, I still thought it being on a rolling basis would mean early applicants would hear back earlier, and it would be staggered from there on

Maybe, I was thinking they’d make decisions on a rolling basis but wait to communicate them, but I’m not 100% sure

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

Emailed W&C today; they said that they are still sorting through apps in batches

is this for the direct tc or the vac scheme? sorry if this is a stupid question

 

[floral.tcla]

They've adopted A&O's old application approach.
You'll automatically get sent a SJT, following the submission of the written form.
This SJT will then also have a few video-recorded questions that you'll need to answer.

From their website directly:

1. Online Application​

You will be required to submit an online application which details your work and education history.

You will then be sent an email which will contain a link to complete an interactive assessment. The assessment will include verbal and numerical reasoning items and two short motivation questions to complete via video. The interactive assessment is untimed and should take around 45 minutes. The interactive assessment is designed to provide a realistic preview of what you may experience as a trainee at A&O Shearman as well as give us an insight into your motivations.

thank you for this! I'm new to TCLA so I'm sorry if this is redundant, but do you know where I could receive advice for preparing for the A&O online assessment? I completed it last year for their first-year scheme and I didn't score high enough.

 

[floral.tcla]

hi everyone, I thought that for MCs as long as you have a 2:1, your application is fine and other parts like the assessment centre and written questions are more important. I go to Cambridge University and I study a non-law humanities and I just completed my first year getting the following grades in my papers alongside a few extracurriculars where I developed a lot professionally: 60, 60, 62, 64.
Should I apply to any magic circle firms or are my grades sufficient enough to be able to make a successful application? What should I focus on?
Thanks and good luck for your applications.

 

[Thom&as]

hi everyone, I thought that for MCs as long as you have a 2:1, your application is fine and other parts like the assessment centre and written questions are more important. I go to Cambridge University and I study a non-law humanities and I just completed my first year getting the following grades in my papers alongside a few extracurriculars where I developed a lot professionally: 60, 60, 62, 64.
Should I apply to any magic circle firms or are my grades okay enough? What should I focus on?
Thanks and good luck for your applications.

MC firms put a lot of emphasis on your extra-curricular and professional journey. I think your grades shouldn't be an issue, especially considering the subject isn't related to law. I will say though from personal experience, Slaughter and May will certainly ask why your grades for certain modules were 'low' (by their standard) if they were anything below 63.

 

[floral.tcla]

If anyone has signed up to the A&O Shearman application masterclass for this coming monday, have you received any invite?

hi how did you find out about this?

 

[floral.tcla]

MC firms put a lot of emphasis on your extra-curricular and professional journey. I think your grades shouldn't be an issue, especially considering the subject isn't related to law. I will say though from personal experience, Slaughter and May will certainly ask why your grades for certain modules were 'low' (by their standard) if they were anything below 63.

thanks for letting me know! that's a shame because I liked their work culture :/ I do have some extenuating circumstances for the exams I got a grade 60 (and I have always been state-educated so I had no idea how to do well in university exams). I heard that employers regard an Oxbridge 2:1 as a high 2:1 or even a first compared to non-Oxbridge universities. Do you know what they would think?

 

[Thom&as]

thanks for letting me know! that's a shame because I liked their work culture :/ I do have some extenuating circumstances for the exams I got a grade 60 (and I have always been state-educated so I had no idea how to do well in university exams). I heard that employers regard an Oxbridge 2:1 as a high 2:1 or even a first compared to non-Oxbridge universities. Do you know what they would think?

I would be lying if I said the oxbridge factor didn't matter as I've heard from others that partners have previously asked applicants "why didn't you go to oxbridge instead?". I'm not entirely sure how much weight they put on each factor in your application, but I'd apply anyway if you're confident you're a strong candidate. Above all, what they're looking for is that you are passionate about commercial law and that you are committed to the firm in the long term.